"Gov. SteveBeshear has ordered most state agencies to cut their spending by 2 percent to help balance the state budget for this fiscal year that ends next June 30." [Bluegrass Politics]

"Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell has filed a lawsuit against the University of Louisville, seeking the release of records related to the pending U of L Hospital merger with Catholic Health Initiatives and Jewish Hospital and St. Mary’s HealthCare." [WFPL]

"More than 77,500 households or businesses in the old Louisville city limits will be assigned a new day for garbage and recycling pickup next year. The changes take affect Jan. 9. The city’s Public Works Department is mailing flyers to all 106,000 residents of the old city limits, which is now called the Urban Services District, to notify them of their collection days — whether or not they change." [Courier-Journal]

"Mayor Greg Fischer has signed an ordinance banning the use of certain fireworks like roman candles and bottle rockets, which the Metro Council previously allowed to be sold." [WFPL]

" In September, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's most prestigious military award, to Sgt. Dakota Meyer, the marine who saved 36 of his comrades during an ambush in Afghanistan...But today Meyer, 23, is having trouble getting a job because of allegations by defense contractor BAE Systems that he has a drinking problem and is mentally unstable. Meyer filed legal papers Monday claiming the allegations were in retaliation for objections he raised about BAE's alleged decision to sell high-tech sniper scopes to the Pakistani military." [WHAS11]